Education

Elizabeth Blake, Ag in the Classroom Coordinator for Allamakee County Farm Bureau, joined the four kindergarten classes (one of which is pictured above) at West Elementary School in Waukon Thursday, January 13 to share a presentation on sheep. Some of the major points she touched on with students are what sheep eat, how they are cared for, what they are used for, and what some of the benefits are.

“The students were very engaging as I asked them questions about what they already knew and what they were learning throughout the presentation,” Blake said. “The vocabulary words seemed to go over very well, and the kids were very excited to learn more about each word. I had a great time and cannot wait to go back to teach the kids more about agriculture.”

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

The regular meeting of the board of directors of the Eastern Allamakee Community School District (EACSD) was held at the Kee High School ICN Room in Lansing Monday, January 17. Board business included a variety of approvals beginning with approving the summer overnight baseball trips to Eddyville June 3 and to Hillcrest Academy June 17.

In personnel items, the board approved a contract for Sydney Garrett, Kindergarten Teacher. An additional kindergarten classroom was needed because of increased enrollment at that grade level.

The public hearing for the 2022-2023 school calendar was set for February 21, just prior to the next regular board meeting, which will be held at the former Lansing Middle School location at 696 Main Street. That next board meeting will be held at that location so board members can visit the site of the Kee Connect program.

The Kee High School Speech program has its busy competition season underway, beginning with the Conference Large Group Contest this past Saturday, January 15 in Postville. Kee’s events received six “I” ratings and one “II” rating. The Conference contest is considered a preparation for Upper Iowa Conference schools before they compete at the District level, where all teams will compete again.

District Contest is scheduled for this Saturday, January 22 in Cascade, with State Contest slated for February 5 at Decorah High School. The teams have been practicing since the beginning of November.

State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald recently opened the 2022 Robert D. Blue Scholarship for applications. Applicants must be a current senior or former graduate of any Iowa high school who plans to attend a college or university within the state. Awards are based on financial need, an original essay, academic achievement and recommendations.

Treasurer Fitzgerald is a member of the Iowa Centennial Memorial Foundation, which funds the scholarship.

“We’re looking for students who exemplify greatness,” he said. “Aaron Eilerts is a notable example. He spent his time volunteering and giving back to those in his community before tragically losing his life when a tornado struck the Little Sioux Boy Scout Camp on June 11, 2008. People like Aaron, who dedicate themselves to serve others, are strongly encouraged to apply.”

Kerry Allen Magner, son of Rose Magner and James Magner of Waukon, was conferred a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Civil Engineering with a Geotechnical Engineering Emphasis from the Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) in Rolla, MO December 17, 2021.

Magner is a Waukon High School graduate and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Iowa State University (ISU) in Ames, a Master of Science degree in Geological Engineering from Missouri S&T, and a second Master of Science degree in Explosives Engineering from Missouri S&T.

Confinement site manure applicators and anyone interested in learning about manure issues should plan to attend a two-hour workshop offered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in January or February 2022. These workshops are offered in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Registration is required. No walk-ins allowed. There is no fee to attend the workshops, but applicators will need to pay certification fees to complete certification requirements.

“Iowa law requires confinement site manure applicators to attend two hours of continuing education each year of their three-year certification period or take and pass an exam once every three years,” said Dan Andersen, associate professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering and extension agriculture engineering specialist at Iowa State University and coordinator of the manure applicator certification program.

Continuing Education is required in order to keep a Private Pesticide Applicators license current annually. The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Allamakee County office will be offering three face-to-face opportunities to attend the Private Pesticide Applicator Continuing Instruction Course, led by Extension Field Agronomist, Joshua Michel.

State law requires that attendees be in their seat at the start of the program. The course will run for approximately two and a half hours, and attendees must stay for the entire program. Individuals only need to attend one of these sessions to complete the education requirement.

The trainings will be held at the Freedom Bank Community Room in Waukon. Pre-registration is recommended by calling 563-568-6345. Allamakee County will be hosting the following dates and times: January 19 at 9:30 a.m., February 1 at 1:30 p.m. and February 1 at 6:30 p.m.

by Susan Cantine-Maxson

The  Eastern Allamakee Community School District  (EACSD) Board of Directors met at Kee High School in Lansing Monday, December 21. Board President Bobbie Goetzinger called the meeting to order. Board members Melanie Mauss and Arla Wagner were in attendance. Members Tony Becker and Kelli Mudderman were absent. Also in attendance were EACSD Superintendent Dr. Dale Crozier, Kee High School and Middle School Principal Dr. Sarah Updegraff, New Albin Elementary School Principal Donna Thomas and Board Secretary Michele Martin, as well as visitors Ray Rankin, Anissa Stanley, Riley Troendle and Jacob Stendel.

After the adoption of the agenda, Lansing FFA advisor Ray Rankin and his students who attended the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, IN gave a presentation on the events at the convention and other tours they had an opportunity to take in the surrounding area during the trip.

This is the 17th year for the Alumni Scholarship instituted by the Allamakee Scholarship Fund (ASF), Inc. Board of Directors. The award is made to a Waukon High School graduate who participated in ASF, Inc. while in high school and received an award as a graduating senior. The scholarship is available to college sophomores through graduate level students.

The ASF, Inc. Board feels it is important to continue the encouragement to Allamakee Community School District graduates as they continue their education, not just as they start their post-high school program. The group wishes to encourage participation in community service and college activities that are part of their educational growth and preparation for career and community life. Scholarship criteria include academic achievement, participation in college activities, especially in their field of study, and community service.

New Albin Elementary School has been blessed by the generosity of the family of Sara Thomas, a former teacher in the Eastern Allamakee Community School District for many years who passed away this past October. Her family knew that she would have wanted memorials in her honor to go to a place where she gave so much of herself. The family donated $1,960 to be used on books and other necessities, some of which are pictured above. New Albin Elementary School appreciates the generosity of the family of Sara Thomas. Submitted image.